Naxos

Richard Strauss’ Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme suite was one of his own favourite scores, an absolute jewel of incidental music that combines the composer’s romanticism with his love of the Baroque music of Jean-Baptiste Lully. D. Wilson Ochoa has created a new symphonic orchestral suite from Strauss’ opulent Ariadne auf Naxos, enabling the orchestra to revel in music of extreme beauty and sensuous luxury, studded with gorgeous instrumental solos and the composer’s incomparable blend of poignancy, humour and melodic richness.

In 2017, Naxos Records celebrates its 30th anniversary. Founded in 1987 by Klaus Heymann, the label now boasts a catalogue of over 9,000 albums spanning every genre of classical music. This limited edition anniversary boxed set comprises thirty CDs spanning the wide range of the label's repertoire. Featuring releases from 1987 to 2016 and a host of stellar artists, every one of these discs has received critical acclaim and has contributed towards the huge success of Naxos: the world's largest independent classical record label. Naxos was launched in 1987 as a budget classical CD label, offering CDs at teh price of an LP when CDs cost about three times more than LPs.

These singers harmonize through mysterious songs about strange and ordinary, things–through beautiful female lead singing, with fascinating percussion and horn background, and bass that is perfect to balance the variety of harmonies. This is not like Manhattan Transfer, no, it is more personal, more immediate. The impression is latin and contemplative, while being no-nonsense and straightforward in expression. It is a wonderful mix of the familiar and the unfamiliar, the new and the understandable.

Jean Sibelius - Piano Music Vol. 2 - Håvard Gimse (2000) {Naxos 8.554808}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 187 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 149 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 20 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2000 Naxos / HNH International | 8.554808
Classical / Late Romantic / Early Modern / Piano

The Norwegian pianist Håvard Gimse here includes two important sets of the piano pieces, Opp. 34 and 40, and the 6 Finnish Folk Songs, fifth of which, Fratricide, is slightly Bartókian. Sibelius’s contemporary and countryman Selim Palmgren put it perfectly when he wrote that ‘even in what for him were alien regions, [Sibelius] moves with an unfailing responsiveness to tone colour’, and Gimse brings finesse and distinction to this repertoire. This and the companion disc are first recommendations.

Jean Sibelius - Piano Music Vol. 4 - Håvard Gimse (2003) {Naxos 8.555363}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 167 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 143 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 31 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2003 Naxos / HNH International | 8.555363
Classical / Late Romantic / Early Modern / Piano

Gimse delivers very attractive readings that are warm, poetic and user-friendly. Actually, you won't find more affectionate performances on disc…. each piece is expertly constructed with engrossing melodies and rhythms that are not soon forgotten… With little exception, these pieces are among Sibelius's most enjoyable. They flow beautifully and express human urges, regret and triumph. Sibelius also injects a delightful improvisation into a few of the works… Gimse continues to offer excellent readings with an enticing blend of warmth and mystery…These are absolute gems that retain my attention after many hearings…For those who remain interested in Sibelius piano discs, Gimse's Naxos series is a fine choice. The price tag is low, and he offers affectionate interpretations in rich and clear sound.